First Street Makers Market
Located in Manchester.
Make a day of it, indie style
Independent businesses near Manchester worth knowing about before or after the market.
Featured
Photo: House of Social Manchester
Manchester's newest food hall at First Street, bringing together five independent kitchens under one roof. Order from your table via QR code and graze across cuisines. Lively atmosphere with pool tables and regular live music — and a favourite pre-theatre stop before HOME.
“House of social is one of those places I’ve wanted to come to for a while and finally I satisfied my curiosity. The design of the building is very slick and smooth, the decor is absolutely stunning and everything runs like a well oiled machine. Service is quick and prompt with a smile which i...”
Photo: Essys First Street
A neighbourhood café on Jack Rosenthal Street with three Manchester locations and a loyal following since the 1990s. Known for excellent espresso, halal breakfasts, Turkish eggs on sourdough, spit roast lamb pittas and mezze platters. A proper independent alternative to the chains.
“The Capaccino was absolutely delicious. Nice creamy coffee. The food looked lovely but I didnt have any myself so I just took a picture of the cakes. Would highly recommend coming here instead of the usual basic US giant coffee brand around the corner (we all know lets be honest!) The barista was...”
Photo: 9inety 6ix
A buzzy First Street bar with a full games lineup — pool, darts, shuffleboard, air hockey and a karaoke room — alongside a well-priced drinks menu and solid food. Great value for city centre, open late at weekends and popular with sports fans.
Photo: Indian Tiffin Room
Vibrant Indian street food restaurant inspired by the dhaba culture of India's roadside eateries. Bold flavours, generous portions and an open kitchen. The dhaba chicken and Rajasthani lamb are standouts — a popular pre-theatre choice given its proximity to HOME.
“I keep going back to Indian Tiffin Room because the vibe alone makes it worth revisiting. There’s something about the atmosphere — lively yet comfortable — that feels both modern and deeply rooted in Indian street food culture. It’s the kind of place that immediately lifts your mood. The...”
Photo: Bunny Jacksons
American dive bar and live music venue on Jack Rosenthal Street, open from 11am until 3am every day. Famous for what many consider the best chicken wings in Manchester, alongside burgers, dirty fries and a creative cocktail list including frozen margaritas and bourbon-heavy serves.
“Best food I've had since moving here a few days ago. The burger was so incredibly juicy it was dripping onto my hands. Good prices, friendly staff. Only downside personally is the music was a bit loud.”
Photo: Adrian Lunsong
Industrial-chic craft beer bar with an on-site microbrewery and a rotating guest tap list. Shuffleboard and darts on site. A relaxed, unpretentious spot for quality craft beer before or after the market.
“Nice modern bar. Great selection of beers. Working brewery in operation. Shuffle board and darts were great fun. Wasn't impressed after ordering a round at 5.30pm to be told we had to vacate the premises by 5.40, because there was a private event. However, it was done politely and professionally ...”
About this area
Places to go, see and play
Photo: Castlefield Gallery
A short walk from First Street, this artist-led gallery champions emerging and mid-career contemporary artists. Free to enter, open Wednesday to Sunday, with a warm team and a strong programme of rotating exhibitions supported by an active artists' associates network.
“A thought-provoking exhibition by Mishka Henner and Emily Speed. The gallery offers a strong Associates program for artists looking to expand their creative community, supported by a warm and welcoming team and fully wheelchair accessible facilities.”
Photo: Sanjay Sharmma
One of Manchester's great free museums, occupying the original Liverpool Road railway station — the oldest surviving passenger station in the world. Sprawling across several buildings, it tells the story of Manchester's industrial and scientific heritage through hands-on exhibits, working textile machinery, historic locomotives and a purpose-built exploration space for younger visitors. Open daily 10am–5pm.
“We had a great family visit! Perfect for a train/engineer enthusiast. Lots for children to interact and engage with. Free entry, donations accepted. If you spend over £10 in the shop you get 20% off in the cafe, wish I knew before buying lunch in the cafe! Great food and drinks though.”
Photo: Junkyard Golf Club | Crazy Golf Manchester
Three nine-hole crazy golf courses built entirely from reclaimed junk, with a full cocktail bar running alongside. One of First Street's most popular evenings out — chaotic, fun and very Instagrammable. Book ahead at weekends.
“Dragged friends along after returning years later. Great fun and really great value. We got all three courses for £12pp. The courses were all super fun and varied in difficulty. Cocktails were really cheap as well and good value. All in all a cool places with a great atmosphere.”
Places to eat, drink and party
Photo: First Street Bar And Kitchen
The TV chef's Italian restaurant occupying the ground floor of the INNSIDE Hotel on First Street. A broad menu of classic Italian dishes — pasta, antipasti and grills — in a smart, relaxed setting. A reliable choice for a sit-down lunch or dinner before a show at HOME.
Photo: Adrian Lunsong
A reliable First Street staple on Tony Wilson Place, directly opposite HOME. Serves the full PizzaExpress menu of classic and seasonal pizzas, pasta and sharing plates. Good value with the app, and a handy option for a relaxed pre-theatre or pre-market meal.
“We hadn’t planned to visit but ended up there by chance. There were plenty of tables available, and the staff member who served us was great, she helped us figure out the best deal, made great recommendations, and ensured we got the most value (we were also using the app). The food turned out t...”
Photo: Ribeye Steakhouse Manchester
Premium halal steak restaurant on First Street specialising in aged UK and international cuts. The Wagyu ribeye with truffle and parmesan chips is the standout, alongside dynamite prawns and a renowned Sunday roast. Smart setting — ideal for a celebration dinner.
“I came here with my boyfriend for Valentines day. We arrived a little early but we were told we will get seated soon. Beautiful restaurant the only downside was the tables are very close together. If you want that intimacy and private element you may not get that. The food was absolutely delicio...”
Places to Stay near Manchester
Make a weekend of it — find hotels, B&Bs and guest houses close to this market.
